27641 Rabeah Fattah Shekh Mohamad/ Elixir Social Studies 75 (2014) 27641-27648 Available online at www.elixirpublishers.com (Elixir International Journal)

Social Studies

Elixir Social Studies 75 (2014) 27641-27648 ’s Wives Founder of Ak Koynlu state(1425-1477) Rabeah Fattah Shekh Mohamad Department of History, College of Arts, Salahaddin University, .

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: At the age of thirty, Uzun Hasan took over Amed (Diyarbakir), the capital city of Ak Received: 13 August 2014; Koynlu state and became the unrivaled ruler. He married his first wife at the age of fifteen; Received in revised form: soon after, he married his second and third wives. His first wife was a Turcoman, the 20 September 2014; second was a Kurd and the third was a Christian. Each of the wives acted in accordance Accepted: 11 October 2014; with the personalities, potentials, personal skills and the wills they possessed. The Turcoman queen or Seljuk Shah could not stand to lead a life away from the Ak Koynlu Keywords palace; thus she established a broad network of relations with the Ak Koynlu dignitaries Ak Koynlu state, and military leaders and also was an influential figure among the Ak Koynlu members. She Uzun Hasan, was so skillful that she could easily gather Ak Koynlu family around herself. After her Seljuk Shah, husband died, her role became even greater. Hasan’s Kurdish wife kept a low profile. Most Ughrlu Mohammed, of her decisions and wills were expressed by her son Ughrlu Mohammed. In Dspina, factMohammed’s personality overshadowed his mother’s personality since she was not Devlet Shah’s daughter. allowed to work within the palace. As for Hasan’s third wife, Dspina, the Christian, it is obvious that she married Hasan to protect Trabzon Empire ruled by her father. Then she started to influence Uzun Hasan to work against the . Furthermore, she played an active role in building relations between Hasan and the West, particularly the Venetian Republic. © 2014 Elixir All rights reserved.

Introduction Koynlu rule which were marked more or less by women Women played a significant role in political life and have characters. actively cooperated and worked with men, especially the women Thus, the present study will introduce Uzun Hasan and his working in the palace. life, his wives’ personalities with main focus on the roles they It is well known that Uzun Hasan, the founder of the Ak played in the political life Ak Koynlu state. Koynlu state, was one of the few brilliant rulers of the 15 th The study relies primarily on sources available on Ak century. He had a strong personality and made appropriate Koynlu and its contemporaries which do not cover the women momentous decisions. Yet, the women in the palace, have also exclusively but the researcher put them together from scattered worked alongside with him to serve their own goals as long as multiple sources. they did not run counter to the general policy line of Hasan. Uzun Hasan’s life and personality The three wives represented the largest percentage of His life Diyarbakir population where Ak Koynlu state developed and Uzun Hasan, the founder of Ak Koynlu state, is the son of became a vast and powerful state with its borders reaching son of OsmanBeg. His grandfather, Osman Beg, known Khurasan in the east and extending to the in the west. as Zalo Siyah, managed to gather the Ak Koynlu tribe in a Hence, we find it significant to explore how the women acted in political union based in Diyarbakir following the Tamerlane line with Uzun Hasan and what kind of strategies they employed campaigns in the area (particularly Diyarbakir) at the end of the to work with him and for themselves. 14 th century (1335-1404)( Tehr ānī 1977,1/32,35. Minorsky This study is intended to explore the activities of Hasan’s 1351,A.163-164). His name means Hasan the tall since he was a wives both in his lifetime and after his death. As we have tall man. Both historians working at the Ak Koynlu palace, already mentioned, Hasan’s first wife was a Turcoman, his Abubakir Tehrani and Fazlullah Ruzbah ānAsfahani have called second was Kurdish and his third was a Christian belonging to him Sahibqran(1977,1/7. 1382, 22,93). However, the Italian Trabzon Empire family. Unlike the third, the first two wives travellers and ambassadors have mentioned him as Usun Kasano were Muslims. or Asam bi while Mamluki historian named him Hasan Bag or Importantly, the wives’ identities impacted their activities Hasan Beg (Barbaro N.D, 38,123. Zeno N.D, 5.Ibn Ája 1986 and relations. This fact would help us to perceivr the political ,114.Al- saxawî, N.D,1/112). framework within which they could act. The Ak Koynlu historians have not specified his birthdate; The fact that Seljuk Shah shared the same ethnic and Ghaffari claims that he was born in 1425 (1343,253), Abubakir religious identity with Uzun Hasan gave her more ground to act Tehrani, who was Hasan Uzun’s personal historian did not give more freely in the palace. The other two wives would be forced a date for his birth; rather he indicates that in the battles fought to do more to strike a balance in their relations. between Alexander of Karayousif Karakoynlu Hasan’s Probably, analyzing the women’s roles relative to Hasan grandfather in Diyarbakir, Hasan’s father decides to fight and Ak Koynlu rulers would inform us considerably on the Alexander, who was returning from Costantinople, and sends his incentives behind the major events occurring during the Ak son, who was 11 years old, back to Diyarbakir (1977, 1/114,126-129). Going back 11 years earlier, we would find that Tele: E-mail addresses: [email protected] © 2014 Elixir All rights reserved 27642 Rabeah Fattah Shekh Mohamad/ Elixir Social Studies 75 (2014) 27641-27648

the date given by Ghaffari is near correct (Al-ʿAzz āwi 1936, health deteriorated until he departed life on the eve of January 3/254. Hints 1377, 32.Minorsky1384, B190). In addition, 6th , 1478 when he was only 54 years old. He was buried inside Tehrani has attempted to focus on Hasan’s early age role in the the Nasriyya religious schoolyard in . political affairs anticipating his involvement in the political Hasan had seven sons from his three wives, five of whom conflicts of Ak Koynlu. At the beginning, he worked under his were still alive by the time he was passing away. They were: father’s orders. Zaynal, killed in the war between Hasan and Muhammad During the conflicts among Osman Karayuluk’s sons over Fatih the Ottoman, Ughrlu Mohammad, killed after his rebellion who to take over the Ak Koynlu tribe, Hamza Beg, Hasan’s to elicit more power as well as the other sons who were named uncle, seized the opportunity and captured Amed (Diyarbakir). Khalil, Jacob, Messiah, Joseph and Maksood (Jozafa et al 1381, Then Ali beg, entrusts his son with several missions including 111, 157. Gaffarî 1343,221. Ḥasan Rumlu 1384, 2/805,807. giving Kharput citadel to the Egyptian Sultan in exchange for Wale esfahanî 1379, 721 ). his brothers’ release from prison. His Personality After his father passed away in 1438, Hasan and his elder Uzun Hasan is regarded as the greatest and most powerful brother made great efforts to take over the tribe. When his uncle ruler of Ak Koynlu dynasty. The world historians and Hamza died in 1444, Jihangir became the most powerful figure ambassadors of the day have each written about him from their of the tribe as he was Hamza’s son-in-law. In 1451, Jihangir sent own perspectives, but they have all tended to consider him as a Hasan Uzun with an armed force to curb his uncle, sheikh great politician of the 15 th century AD who managed to transfer Hasan’s rebellion. The battle ended with sheikh Hasan’s death his tribe Ak Koynlu from a nomadic tribe to a vast, enormous and Uzun’s victory. and influential political entity. From a very early age, Hasan Then, Uzun Hasan started launching offensives on the showed political, military and diplomatic skills; his personality Kurdish rulers in Diyarbakir on his own. These offensives ended was marked by justice, consideration to people’s affairs, in the settlement of Ak Koynlu supremacy in his favor following quickness to act when opportunities arise, and decisiveness dismissal of his brother Jihangir from Diyarbakir (Tehr ānī (Fa l All āh 1382, 33. Al – Ghayathî 1975, 391. Al –Qazuynî 1977,1/140-141, 157, 161, 168, 171, 175, 178, 183, 196. Hînts 1314, 358 D āʿirat al-MʿārIf 1991, 1/387). He was a man who 1377 32-33). quickly perceived danger; when he failed to capture Hasankayf This marked the passage of an outstanding political stage in castle, he resorted to a different means do it. For example, in Uzun Hasan’s early life with his consolidation of power in 1461, he promised the castle to his cousins if they capture it and Diyarbakir as an unrivalled ruler and the strongest Ak Koynlu annihilate King Khalaf. His plan was successful, however figure (D āʿirat al-MʿārIf 1991, 1/387). This also encouraged (Tehr ānī 1977, 2/367,393-394. Ibn Taghrî Bardî 1972, 16/273). him to attack the neighboring entities, particularly the Kurdish Hasan acted most diplomatically with the Mamluk state in principalities, which he defeated successfully. Egypt. He would frequently send ambassadors and appeased As Jihanshah of Kara Koynlu headed towards Khurasan in them as he needed their assistance in face of the Ottomans 1467 following the demise of Shahrookh, Uzun Hasan seized which he thought were more dangerous. Although he this opportunity to consolidate its position further. Jihanshah persistently sought a sea border with the Venetian Republic, he perceived this threat from Uzun Hasan on the Kara Koynlu state managed to protect his state from its borders (Ibn Ája 1986, and sent several armies led by prominent military leaders to 114-125.Minorsky 1933, C5/220-221 ). defeat Hasan, none of which was successful (Tehr ānī 1977, After he killed Jihanshah and conquered the Kara Koynlu, 1/214, 263, 281.Q āî ahmad Tatawy 1378, 77, 132. 2/347, he wanted to avoid confronting Abusaeed of Meeranshah of Ḥasan Rumlu 1384, 1/263, 281). Tamerlane, so he proposed to grant him Iraq and retain In 1467, Jihanshah visited Hasan to make peace with him for himself. Abusaeed rejected the proposal claiming and dispel his fears of any Kara Koynlu threat, after sending that Azerbaijan belonged to his father already. The two armies most of his army leaders back home. Hasan found this an confronted in 1468 and Abusaeed was defeated thereby a yet opportunity to clear his brother and end his Kara Koynlu state, larger territories fell to Hasan Uzun’s zone of influence. A which marked the second stage of his political and military life. historian such as Al-Gyathi believes that no ruler was in This move, however, made him the unrivalled sultan of a vast possession of such vast territoris ever since Alexander, Ardasher and enormous territory the boundaries of which started from the and the Chosroes (Ghayathî 1975, 383-384). Euphrates in the west to Jaijoon coasts and with the northern Joseph Barbaro, the Venetian ambassador lived in Hasan’s parts bordering the Ottomans and Georgia and the southern parts palace and in 1474 writes that Hasan would sit at a higher reaching Oman islands (Tehr ānī 1977, 2/347. Fa l All āh 1382, balcon with his boduguards, officials and dignitaries 34-35). surrounding him (Jozafa et al 1381, 69-72, 158). Moreover, During the ten years of Hasan as the Ak Koynlu ruler, he Contarini, Barbaro’s company, characterizes Hasan as the ruler brought peace and stability to his domain and united the all the who drank a lot while eating his meals, was pleased to invite us Ak Koynlu tribal factions under one leadership. He also very often, and would always call singers and musicians to sing established many scientific and religious institutions with a and play the kind of music he would choose. He was an major focus on administrative organizations (Al –Qazuynî energetic, highly polished tall man with a look tinged with a 1314,358. D āʿirat al-MʿārIf 1991, 1/387 ). Tartar complexion and features. He would shake while drinking, Furthermore, he established firm and constant diplomatic thus behaving like a 70 year-old man. He was a humble yet relations with the West and the Republic of Venice. Yet, he fierce and formidable when he got angry albeit a kind and made sporadic attacks on the Georgian state and fought a wide merciful ruler (Jozafa et al 1381, 155). scale and fierce battle with Sultan Muhammad Fatih the The oriental historians have demonstrated Hasan’s justice, Ottoman. However, his relations with the Mamluks were intelligence, wisdom and valiance, particularly Abubakir anything but undiplomatic (Minorsky 1933, C 5/213-223). Tehrani who has commended him a lot (Tehr ānī 1977,1/5-9. Returning from his last battle with the Georgians in the Minorsky 1351,A.182). However, Ibn Ajah, the Memluk autumn of 1477, Hasan fell ill. When arriving in Tabriz, his delegate to Hasan’s palace, mentions that “Hasan was 27643 Rabeah Fattah Shekh Mohamad/ Elixir Social Studies 75 (2014) 27641-27648

accompanied by many international and regional scholars and It is worth mentioning here that both Devlet Shah of Aghel and businessmen and when I visits him, he stood up to welcome me Ali Beg, father of Uzun Hasan were on friendly terms with the and seated me by himself, then asked me Memluk state and its Memluk rulers (Unknown author 1986, 67, 69. Alsadafî 2002, officials and also about Henriette (Ibn Ája 1986,115-116). 339.Al –Maqrîzî 1997, 345, 394 ). Zunu, the Venetian ambassador gives the following account Given the fact that Seljuk Shah was an ethnic of Uzun Hasan: “ He was a brave man who believed in freedom and Devlet Shah of Aghel’sdaughter was an ethnic Kurd for others; the Turkmen dignitaries listened to him and obeyed accounts for Hasan’s strong ties with the native population of him, even the most influential of them who had the right to enter Diyarbakir who were Kurdish, Turkoman and Christians. Seljuk his tent, would find hard to speak in his presence; only the Shah represented the Turkomans and Devlet Shah of Aghel’s Prince would speak and what he says should be accepted daughter represented her father and Hasan’s relations. without the slightest reservation; an atmosphere of silence Seljuk Shah was an influential Ak Koynlu personality who would prevail the tent as if you were in a holy shrine” (Jozafa et sided with her husband in all his battles. Thus she witnessed all al 1381, 220. Hînts 1377, 81). The freedom mentioned in this the battles and wars Hasan fought from the time he was 15 until account denotes the visits made by Hasan’s wife Speena and the his demise. Given the fact that the Ak Koynlu tribal composition other details refer to order observed in the palace. was Turkoman, Seljuk Shah had the greater chance to connect During the period of his reign, Hasan sought to reduce taxes with the tribal members and play a significant role in the events and lift Tamgha tax but the princes did not allow him to do so. (Tehr ānī 1977, 1/245, 2/468, 524.Hînts1377 ,157.Minorsky In terms of dealing with with people’s complaints, he set forth a 1384,B189). legal chart that satisfied all his people across the country he Conversely, Ughrlu Mohammed’s mother spent more time ruled (Ghayathî 1975, 291-292. Ḥasan Rumlu 1384, 2/805.Al- next to her son; there is little information as to whether she was ʿAzz āwi1936, 3/252). with Uzun Hasan in Amed or with her son. Even when Hasan Hasan’s position toward women is unmistakable; he did not moved to Tabriz, it seems she did not accompany him. Be this seek women. It is noted that Alexander of Kara Yousef was true or not, she was not allowed to make frequent appearances in killed because of women; he used to chase his step-mother but the palace because of her Kurdish identity. In contrast, Seljuk one night his wife in collaboration with a group and Shah Qubad shah became a strong military leader because of her ethnic son of Alexander murdered him asleep. Hasan has stated in this affinity to Hasan (Tehr ānī 1977, 2/458,481,510,514). respect: “ Alexander has done bad things with women, finally he At the age of thirty four, Uzun Hasan, married his third wife fell into the pit he dug for others” (Tehr ānī 1977, 1/144,161- named Kura Katrina, daughter of Kalo Johannes, emperor of 163). Trabzon who was known more in her Greek name Dspina Uzun Hasan’s wives and their personalities (Jozafa et al 1381, 290, 420-424). This third marriage was The Wives political more than anything else. Notably, Hasan had had a As mentioned earlier, Hasan married his first wife at the age long-standing tradition of political marriages ever since he of fifteen when he and his brother, Jihangir were engaged in a became a power to be calculated with in the region after taking conflict with their uncle, Hamza in the town of Ruha. There, over Diyarbakir. For example, when in 1459 Jihanshah pulled Hasan married a woman who, one year later, gave birth to a son. Sheikh Junaid Safavid out of Diyarbakir, Hasan married her Since Ruha was the birthplace of Ibrahim Khalil (Abraham the sister off to him and made him an ally. This relation developed Prophet), they named him Khalil. The woman was Seljuk Shah further until he married Martha, Dspina’s daughter to Sheikh Begm and the marriage took place in 1440 AD. Thus, Khalil Haydar, Shah Ismael the Safavid (Jozafa et al 1381, 257.Bud āq must have been borne in 1441. Notably, eight months after munshî 1378, 109.Hînts 1377, 38-39). Khalil was borne, Hasan had another son from another wife of Obviously, Hasan continually utilized political marriages to his whom they named Ughrlu Mohammed whose mother was serve his political interests, yet the relation with the emperor of Devlet Shah of Aghel’s daughter (Tehr ānī 1977, 1/162-163. Trabzon was not established first by Hasan, rather, it was his Fa l All āh 1382, 96. Ḥasan Rumlu 1384, 2/807). Although grandfather, Osman Beg who first had married one of the Seljuk shah’s son was born sooner and so he is a little older than daughters of Alexis the 4 th , the emperor of Trabzon (Hînts 1377, Ughrlu, it is still not known which of the two wives Hasan 40-41). married earlier! In 1457, the emperor of Trabzon sent a delegate to the In this connection, Contarini, the Venetian Ambassador and capital of Ak Koynlu seeking Hasan’s support and cooperation several other historians believe that Hasan’s first wife was in the face of the Ottomans. In fact the 3,000 gold coins which Kurdish and her son was Ughrlu Mohammed (Jozafa et al 1381, the Trabzon emperor would annually grant the Ottoman Sultan 197. Ḥasan Rumlu 1384,2/867. Al –Qazuynî 1314, 221.Minorsky Muhammed Fatih II did not satisfy the latter once and for all; 1933 C 5/222). rather the reason he refrained from any offensive on Trabzon Any investigation of Hasan’s Kurdish wife must also was to retain forces to conquer the Albanians and the consider Devlet Shah of Aghel’s relations with Hasan’s father, Hungarians who had united their forces to combat the Ottomans. Ali Beg. Undoubtedly, Devlet Shah was an outstanding figure of In the light of these realities, Hasan realized that Trabzon the first half of the 15 th century in Diyarbakir. Following the needed external help for which they turned to him. murder of Osman Beg, Ali Beg’s father, Ali Beg frequently The Trabzon emperor had a daughter named Kura Katrina, turned to the Aghil of the Devlet Shah with its castles and they known then as the most beautiful among her imperial family and actually cooperated with him. This firm tie could have been the heard of widely across and Ak Koynlu territories. No result of the marriage between Uzun Hasan and Devlet Shah of sooner had the Trabzon delegate started its negotiations than Aghel’s Kurdish daughter. Additionally, it is believed that Ali Uzun Hasan asked for her hands following a solemn pledge to Beg was still alive then but they were forced to live in Aghil register all Anatolian Kapadochia in her name as well as being sacked by Hasan’s uncle, Hamza (Tehr ānī 1977, 1/99, repulsing any attacks by the Ottomans on Trabzon. Being unable 102, 162). to resist the Ottoman assault, the Trabzon delegate unwillingly accepted Uzun Hasan’s proposal provided that Dspina should 27644 Rabeah Fattah Shekh Mohamad/ Elixir Social Studies 75 (2014) 27641-27648

remain Christian all her life. Finally, they signed an agreement among the Christians, therefore some time before she passed in 1458 stipulating for daughter to be sent to Diyarbakir in the away, she decided to live in Kharput by worshipping. following year (Jozafa et al 1381, 290, 420.Tehr ānī 1977, Dspina had three daughters and one son, named Maksood 2/382.Tahrî 1384, 107). who sympathized with Ughrlu in his rebellion. Strikingly, before In this manner, Hasan married several women from he became thirteen years old, his father delivered Baghdad to his different areas of his territory and its neighboring areas; one possession after Hasan’s victory over Jihanshah Kara Koynlu. Turkoman from Ak Koynlu tribe, one Kurdish from the Aghil, Finally, Maksood was murdered by Khalil, his stepbrother and the other a Christian from Trabzon. following their father’s death. It is mention worthy that one of The first wife, Seljuk Shah was seen more frequently with Dspina’s daughters later became Shah Ismael’s mother, who Hasan than the other two wives. She also made more founded the Safavid dynasty. appearances in Tabriz after the defeat of Kara Koynlu; even A Venetian merchant visits Dspina’s grave in Amed when Hasan was dying, she is the only one to have mentioned as (Diyarbakir) in 1507 and mentions that the grave was located a present by him. There has been no mention of the other two church arch and built with plain bricks without being wives. Hence, she was in Tabriz and her son, Khalil was in ornamented by gold or silver (Jozafa et al 1381, 290-291, 420- . Seljuk Shah’s roles were clearer after her husband’s 421, 384, Tehr ānī 1977, 2/537-538Awzun çarshlî 1369, 2/52). death and have been more highlighted by the researchers. Yet, 3-2; The Wives’ Personalities when Khalil took the reins of power in Tabriz, he dismissed her Each wife’s personality is reflected in her own working mother to Diyarbakir. The point is that she did not stay there for environment since each one’s intentions determine their long; after six months she came back to Tabriz with Jacob. The personalities per se. As Seljuk Shah was Turkoman, she was question here is: Could the woman not stand living outside the assigned more roles in the palace while the Kurdish wife’s capital Tabriz?! working environment is not clear and for which there is a severe The point is that during Jacob’s reign she was an influential lack of information. Yet, it can be ascertained that her attempts figure in the palace, but even during Uzun Hasan’s period of to gain power were all through her son Ughrlu Mohammed. rule, she was similarly powerful but was overshadowed by As for Dspina, the Greek Christian wife, all her character Hasan’s strong personality (Tehr ānī 1977, 1/161-162. Fa l and personality can be discerned through her relations with the All āh 1382, 96, 102. Ḥasan Rumlu 1384, 2/777). Republic of Venice as she strove for one and solitary aim which As for Jacob and Khalil, they are obviously Seljuk Shah’s was to ward off Ottoman threats to the Christian world. sons, but it is unknown whether Zainal, who was killed in the Seljuk Shah, being a native Turk, enjoyed a dominant and battle between Uzun Hasan and Sultan Mohammed Fatih in controlling status. Moreover, all her deeds testify to her strong 1472, was her son or not. Even Messiah, who chose to live in character and personality. Even when Uzun Hasan was still Tabriz after his father’s death is unknown to be from which ruling the state, her orders were strictly carried out across the wife! This may be due to the fact that during Jacob’s reign, state including Ulus princes. She also served as an advisor to the Seljuk Shah was more attached to Joseph and cared less for state in the administration of the state affairs. Messiah. However, in 1489 when a plague broke out in the area, One thing we should not miss here is the fact that Uzun they left Tabriz for Karabagh fort, Seljuk Shah and her son Hasan’s mother, Sara Khatoun also served as a guide for Seljuk Joseph both died (Fa l All āh 1382,405-408. Ḥasan Rumlu 1384, Shah and played an important role in Ak Koynlu’s political life. 2/799-780). Hence, we realize that when Amed (Diyarbakir) was their As far as Devlet Shah’s daughter is concerned there is little capital, Seljuk Shah had a strong presence in the palace. Even information obtained about her. All that is known is that she after Hasan’s death, she practiced a prudent policy and sent after headed for the Memluk state following her son’s rebellion and her son Khalil to assume power without any conflict or trouble the events ensuing this rebellion were the most crucial and (Fa l All āh 1382, 96, 405. Ḥasan Rumlu 1384, 2/881.Gaffarî impactful for the AK Koynlu ruler (Ibn Ája 1986 ,170.Ibn ayas 1343, 253). This move shows that she made the right decision at 1960, 4/458.Al- saxawî, N.D, 10/283). Hence, had she stayed the right time. with Hasan during the rebellion, she would hardly have had the Seljuk Shah had strong relations with the military leaders of chance to move to Cairo. However, her son’s company was Ak Koynlu too, including Sulaiman Beg Bizhan and Baynder more comfortable for her than the palace where Seljuk Shah had Beg. She could not stand living out of the palace which is why the most power and influence. After this event, there is neither she dismissed Khalil to Diyarbakir to keep him off her own information nor confirmation as to whether she and her son went affairs. It is said that when she returned to Tabriz with Jacob, the from Cairo to the Ottoman territories or not. Ak Koynlu family members would regularly cluster around her Contrary to Devlet Shah’s daughter, there is more for advice and consultation. When she died, however, the information available about Hasan’s Christian wife, Dspina regular meetings were discontinued and the unity of the Ak who, in 1458, had brought with her a large number of Greek Koynlu family was disrupted (Fa l All āh 1382, 102, 140-141, virgins and nobility to accompany and stay with her for good. 182, 192. Ḥasan Rumlu 1384, 2/812-813. Al-qaremanî 1282, She had also brought along a great number of monks and nuns 338). Despite all these, Seljuk Shah was the kind of women that to enable her to perform her religious rites in the appropriate was concerned with religion and mysticism, like Uzun Hasan; way (Jozafa et al 1381, 421.Hînts 1377 ,42). she is reported to have followed the mystic orders and was Before the Trabzon Empire fell to the Ottoman Sultan fervently attached to the religious scholars. She was involved in Mohammed Fatih in 1461, Dspina persistently tried to charity activities and regularly helped the needy and the encourage and cherish Hasan’s hostility towards the Ottomans. underprivileged (Al-ʿAzz āwi 1939, 275,Hînts 1377, 145). This influence of Dspina became particularly prominent when As far as Devlet Shah’s daughter, there is not much Hasan moved to Tabriz and Dspina maintained the relations of information about her as about her son Ughrlu Mohammed who Ak Koynlu with the Venetian Republic and played effective was an intrepid and smart man, especially at the battlefield. Yet, roles against the Ottoman state.Dspina was keen on living despite the fact that Devlet Shah was a leading personality both within Diyarbakir province and outside its borders, her daughter 27645 Rabeah Fattah Shekh Mohamad/ Elixir Social Studies 75 (2014) 27641-27648

was not assigned any tangible role in the events occurring in to striking world political conflicts between the East and the Diyarbakir and Tabriz throughout the Ak Koynlu era (Tehr ānī West as the result of Ak Koynlu- Trabzon treaty (Hînts 1377, 1977, 1/136,163.Ibn Taghrî Bardî 1972, 15/224.Al- badlîsî 43). 2002, 349). The reasons can be attributed to her Kurdish identity Under the effect of the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and to first, and her son’s strong character overshadowed that of hers. deter the Ottoman threats, Pope Callixtus III sent a Franciscan Another factor for this reality can be the fact that the palace monk named Ludvigo Bologna to Trabzon and Georgia who officials were hostile to the Kurdish principalities; Hasan also visited Uzun Hasan in 1459 in Diyarbakir. Dspina, in her himself led a number of military campaigns against them and turn, started to encourage Hasan to assist Trabzon people against sustained them severe losses particularly after he took the Ottoman and fight them. These relations were brought to so Tabriz.Moreover, while Hasan’s father and Devlet Shah’s high a level that all Europe, particularly, was shocked by Ak relations were friendly, Isa Beg, Devlet Shah’s were by no Koynlu delegate visit to Europe. Obviously, the heaviest load of means friendly with Hasan (Tehr ānī 1977, 1/268,271,281, the tripartite alliance of Trabzon- Georgia- Ak Koynlu was on 2/542). the latter as it was militarily stronger the other two. Yet, it was Returning to Dspina, she was a powerful figure in the not to compete with the Ottomans. palace not because she had strong ties with the Ak Koynlu The Trabzon king asked Hasan, through his ambassador,to officials or its military leaders, rather due to the solid political seek an Ottoman relinquishment of the 3000 gold coins that he pact according to which she had been married to Hasan. Hence, had to give the Ottoman State. And it was due to their relation she only worked on her husband directly although after her with Hasan that the Ottomans re-imposed taxes which they had husband’s death her role diminished considerably. Since her dropped. Hence, Hasan immediately sent his ambassador to marriage was political in nature, she was always keeping an eye Istanbul in 1451led by his nephew Murad Beg not only to seek on Trabzon. In short, she offered all her beauty and charm to the an exemption from taxes of Trabzon, but also themselves from protection of her homeland, Trabzon. the task of harnessing horses and making carpets and coffee for In 1471, Dspina’s nephew, Catrino was appointed them, a task which Sultan Yildirim Bayazid had assigned with ambassador to Uzun Hasan’s palace at a time when the latter the Ak Koynlu and was suspended for sixty years. They also had Diyarbakir province only, an event which marked an asked the Ottomans to disclaim Kapadochia which Hasan had important stage in the Ak Koynlu state relations with Venice. received from Trabzon king as token for her wife (Tehr ānī 1977, Here, Dspina, as a supporter of her nephew and as someone who 2/382, 386.Awzun çarshlî 1369, 54.Hînts 1377, 49). was hostile to the Ottomans and had strong ties with the west, Dspina’s behind-the-scene role must be evaluated, since continued to pressurize Hasan so hard that led him finally to informed all about the Ottoman moves and persistently declare war against the Ottomans. Dspina’s diplomatic efforts influenced her husband. Uzun Hasan, nevertheless, worked in left Hasan put many diplomatic affairs into the hands of Dspina. two directions; first he made a military rapprochement to Besides, Dspina remained a pious woman to the last moment of Trabzon and second used send envoys to the Ottomans. First, her life; she was fervently adhering to Christianity and is when his envoy returned with no satisfactory answer, he reported not to have become behindhand with her presence in occupied the farthest western border point in 1458. As a result the Last Supper ceremonies (Jozafa et al 1381, 226-230.Hînts of this move, the Ottoman ruler fled and consequently Sultan 1377,40-43). Mohammed started a military campaign on the three parties: the The Women’s political roles from tribal unity to Ak Koynlu Ak Koynlu state, Trabzon and Gorgia which ended in the State expulsion of Ak Koynlu governor. The Ak Koynlu army showed Generally, women played an active role among the Turkish some sporadic resistance and killed 200 Ottoman troops, but tribes; they had to shoulder a lot of responsibilities. What is there was no use. Even though Hasan was victorious in one obvious among the Ak Koynlu population is that men did not more minor battle, he sent an envoy to the Ottoman Sultan led marginalize women. For example, before Hasan went to Tabriz by Sheikh Hasan Kurd and his mother to make peace with him. and declare Ak Koynlu State, he was a power to be calculated This move came late as the Ottoman army was already heading with in Diyarbakir but at the same time Sara Khatoun’s (Hasan’s for Trabzon. In 1461, due to ferocious Ottoman assaults, the mother) fingerprints on some significant events in Hasan’s life, Trabzon emperor surrendered to them. The Ottoman Sultan are conspicuous. Moreover, when Hasan made his political annexed Trabzon to his empire and sent Dspina’s uncle (David) appearance in 1454 onward and then took Diyarbakir from his as well as his four sons to jail in Istanbul.When the Sultan brother Jihangir, her mother interfered and reconciled the two discovered the letters exchanged between, he found out how brothers. She also brokered an agreement between the two strong were the relations between them and killed David and his brothers stipulating that Diyarbakir should go to Hasan’s sons in jail in Istanbul (Tehr ānī 1977, 2/386, 391, 392. Ḥasan possession and to Jihangir (Tehr ānī 1977, 1/256-257.Ibn Rumlu 1384,1/588-593, 2/613.Awzun çarshlî 1369, 57.Hînts Taghrî Bardî 1972, 7/485. Ḥasan Rumlu 1384, 1/542). 1377, 174-175). The Women’s political roles before the rise of Ak Koynlu The Women’s Political Roles after the Rise of Ak Koynlu In fact, the major political event in which one of Hasan’s State wives took part was the conflict between Ak Koynlu State and In fact, Seljuk Shah’s actual role started after the rise of the the Ottoman State over Trabzon. This woman was Dspina, who Ak Koynlu state. After 1468, the Ak Koynlu borders expanded was in continuous contact with the Venetian Republic, Georgia considerably; then Hasan moved his capital city from Diyarbakir and Uzun Hasan himself; she also would write letters to her to Tabriz to assume the heir of all former states. He also asked uncle to inform him about the political developments. She also all Ak Koynlu tribes and clans living in eastern Anatolia to always stood by her husband Hasan to redress the balance with move to the new capital and offered them a lot of land (Dāʿirat the Ottoman state. al-MʿārIf 1991, 1/386). Undoubtedly, Hasan’s marriage to Dspina impacted the This period offered a new opportunity to each of Hasan’s political events of the region. No sooner had the wedding Turkoman and Christian wives to work in different directions. ceremonies ended in Diyarbakir in 1458 than Hasan was drawn 27646 Rabeah Fattah Shekh Mohamad/ Elixir Social Studies 75 (2014) 27641-27648

First we must be aware that both of his sons, Khalil and Ughrlu palace? The subsequent events proved this serious and crucial Mohammed contributed to the annihilation of Qara Koynlu role. pockets; but if we compare their military and political activities, Thus, an apparent sensitivity was perceived between Ughrlu we see that Ughrlu Mohammed was more active and valiant Mohammed and Seljuk Shah. Yet, now Ughrlu Mohammed has whose father himself admitted that his courageous son had made a handsome capital only to aggravate her stepmother’s swept of Jihan Shah (Nevai 1381, 558,). Yet, when jealousy. Uzun Hasan gave out the areas to his sons in 1470, he sent off The conflict ended in Seljuk Shah’s favor.In 1474 Ughrlu Ughrlu Mohammed to and Khalil to Fars (Tehr ānī 1977, Mohammed hears that his father was dead. Before making sure 2/551). It is not clear why he made this decision to grant Khalil it was true or not, he hasted to capture Shiraz which translated as a very strategic and wealthy while Ughrlu was granted a dry and the rich city of Seljuk Shah’s son. What Ughrlu Mohammed unproductive area. This was surprising to the Iranians who sought was to succeed his father to the throne, as he was one of testified to Ughrlu’s success and bravery in all the battles he had the elder sons, a fact that was fairly natural (Jozafa et al fought. 1381,80,88,91,251,315. Tehr ānī 1977, 2/514. Ḥasan Rumlu The Venetian ambassador to Ak Koynlu state indicate that 1384,2/764,804.Tahrî 1384, 111). On hearing this rebellion by Isfahan then was a disadvantaged and one of the least populated his son, Hasan gathered a huge army and headed for Shiraz. towns in Iran while Shiraz was twice as large as Isfahan and was When Ughrlu heard that, he fled Shiraz for Baghdad where his witnessing a great commercial revival. So, there was a clear brother Maksoud welcomed him. He did not stay long there and division between the two towns which led to the first time moved to the Memluk state in Egypt. He demanded some prejudice towards Khalil at the expense of Ughrlu Mohammed, military assistance from the Memluks which they gave him and the first being born from a Turkoman mother and the second this encouraged him to go and fight the Ak Koynlu forces. He from a Kurdish mother who was not allowed access to the was defeated and seriously injured. After a period of tranquility, palace.This indicates how strong was Seljuk Shah’s influence on he sent his mother to the palace of King Ashraf Kaytbay in Uzun Hasan which also led to a different way of thinking by Cairo to reconcile him with Uzun Hasan. The effort was not Ughrlu to the effect that Seljuk Shah was conspiring against him successful (Ibn Ája 1986 ,169.Ibn ayas 1960, 4/458-459,Awzun (Jozafa et al 1381, 85, 88, 91 147, 250, 254. Tehr ānī 1977, çarshlî 1369, 2/105). This made him reconsider his situation and 1/245,265. 2/394,458, 468, 510, 524, 551.tahrî 1384, 110-111). decided to turn to the Ottomans which infuriated Hasan. After the fall of Trabzon to Sultan Mohammed Fatih, the The Ottoman Sultan Fatih gladly received and embraced tripartite alliance was annulled but Hasan further strengthened him the way Uzun Hasan received the Kahraman family. To his relations with the West whose mastermind was Dspina further strengthen his ties with Ughrlu Mohammed, he gave him (Jozafa et al 1381, 17,123,197.Minorsky 1351, A173-174). his niece Gawhar Hanim and appointed him as the governor of According to the Venetian ambassador, Cathrino, Dspina Sivas on the border with the Ak Koynlu. informed Hasan that Venice would send the Ak Koynlu leader The Venetian ambassadors have pointed out that in order to weaponery, ammunitions and warships if engaged in war with arrest his son, Uzun Hasan spread the news that he was dying the Ottomans. So, Dspina constantly urged her husband to fight and wanted to see him before he passed away, when his son the Ottomans since they had eliminated the Trabzon state and comes, he is arrested and then killed (Jozafa et al 1381, killed her uncle and her sons. However, she corresponded the 86,316,253 Ḥasan Rumlu 1384, 2/804,807). Georgian king Gorgora to side by Uzun Hasan in his war against Thus, Seljuk Shah’s dream came true. In 1477, after he the Ottomans in addition to her contacts with Venice. This returned from Georgia, Hasan fell ill and was confined to bed. indicates she had pledged much earlier to make the most of her Even though he had not died yet, Seljuk Shah felt that the influence in the Ak Koynlu palace against the Ottomans obstacles in her way were already cleared (Fa l All āh 1382, 96). (Tehr ānī 1977, 2/567, 584 .,D āʿirat al-MʿārIf 1991, 393-394 ). It is so unusual that even though Seljuk Shah strove so hard Dspina’s mission virtually terminates when Hasan launches his to bring her son Khalil to the throne, as soon as her son assumed attacks on the Ottoman territories in 1472. She only waited for power, he decided to sent off his mother and two brothers, Jacob the results. The Ak Koynlu looted and attacked Kahraman and Joseph to Diyarbakir on grounds that she interfered in the through Sivas. In 1473, Sultan Mohammed entered war with political affairs of the state. Hasan leading 100,000 troops. Here, Ughurlu Mohammed’s role This move was a shortsighted one of Khalil since it gave an became more apparent and activewho used extraordinary excuse to some leading figures in Diyarbakir to gather and military tactics to kill around 20,000 Ottoman troops. reorganize to fight Khalil. At the end, Jacob rebelled against him Hasan Romlo the historian states that Ughurlu asked his and defeated Khalil’s army somewhere between Khoy and father to continue their attack on the Ottomans so as not to let Marand. On July, 15 th , 1478, they killed Khalil and Seljuk Shah them reorganize their army. Seljuk Shah was not satisfied with and Jacob went back to the palace after spending only six this suggestion and told Hasan that Ughrlu’s intention was to months outside of it (Fa l All āh 1382, 154. Ḥasan Rumlu 1384, lead the defeat of the Ottomans to help him secure a better 2/811,819.Gaffarî 1343,253.Tahrî 1384, 124-125). political position. The Women’s Religious Roles Consequently, Hasan called on Ughurlu to come back and Generally, Ak Koynlu palaces have attended to religion and suspend the engagement for a few days but the great battle cared for religious people. Hasan himself had many religious th commenced on , 1473 which ended with the defeat clerics and scholars around him who would give him advice on of Ak Koynlu army and took the life of Hasan’s son, Zainal but the Islamic jurisdiction and Prophet’s statements as well as Ughurlu fought bravely. Noticeably, Khalil’s role is next to Koranic interpretation. Before he assumed power, he was keen nothing (Jozafa et al 1381, 306. Ḥasan Rumlu 1384, 2/771-772). on mingling with the Sheikh’s and religious scholars (Bud āq The question here is: why did Khalil have no role in the battles munshî 1378, 74-75). In the same manner, Seljuk Shah was while he was Ughrlu’s rival to succeed their father’s throne? passionate about religion. Was her mother, Seljuk Shah, redressing the balance in the When Hasan hears about Sheikh Dede, the famous leader of the religious order, he calls him to his palace and grants him 27647 Rabeah Fattah Shekh Mohamad/ Elixir Social Studies 75 (2014) 27641-27648

unconditional access to the palace and becomes his disciple; References likewise, Seljuk Shah liked the Sheikh very much but it was -Ibn Ája (shamsaddîn mohammed bin mahmud): al ʿrāk baîn al Sultan Jacob who gave him a khanaqah (temple), which –memalîk weal - ʿuthm ānîyn al –atrak mah rhlet al -amîr belonged to Jihanshah’s mother Amina in Tabriz. The Sheikh yeshbek bin mahîal –dwdar, senahewu: mohammed ahmed had disciples not only from Tabriz but also from around the Ak dhman, dar al-fkr (dîmashq 1986). Koynlu state; it is also said that even Seljuk Shah herself took -Ibn Ayas(mohammed bin ahmed bin ayas): al- muxtar min the order at the hands of the Sheikh (Hafiz Husan Karbalai Baday ʿ Al-zuh ūr fi weqah al- dhur, mtabh al- shahb.(Cairo 1383, 472,601-602.Al-ʿAzz āwi 1936,2/275.Hînts 1377, 157). 1960). An account given by the historian Fazlullah Rozihan runs: “ - Awzun çarshlî: Ta ʿrīkh ʿuthm ānî, Tarjeme: eraj In terms of charities and philanthropic activities including nobakht,Entisharat kayhan. (tehran 1369). renovating the Grand Mosque of Tabriz and replacing the old -Al-ʿAzz āwi ( ʿAbbas): Ta ʿrīkh al -ʿIr āq bain al -ʿhtil ālain, Qiblah with a new one (1382,406). matbahe al- tafiz al-ahliye, (Baghdad 1936 - 1939) VOL2-3. Similarly, Dspina exercised a lot of influence on Uzun - Bud āq munshî Qazuynî: Jawahir Al-Akhb ār,(bekhsh t ārîkhî Hasan. His political marriage made him tolerant and lenient IRAN az QARA QUNLU ta sal 984), teshih musin behram towards the Christians. This led Dspina to be more cooperative nzhad, neshr mirath mektub, (tehran 1378). with the Christian followers under Ak Koynlu authority. She -Al- Badlîsî (al -amîr shrafxan bin shamsaddîn bin was, as Zind states, the most pious among women of her era shrafxan):shrafnama, Tarjeme:mohammed jamil al-ruzbayani who regularly attended the Last Supper at the Greek church muasese mukryani, (Erbil 2002). (Jozafa et al 1381, 228.Hînts 1377, 158). -CATERINO ZENO AND OTHERS: NARRATIVE OF Conclusions ITALIAN TRAVELS IN PERSIA IN THE 15 TH AND 16 TH Uzun Hasan has had three wives, the first was Seljik Shah CENTURIES Translated by CHARLES GREY, BUR from the Turkomen of Riha () and had three sons: Khalil, FRANKLIN PUBLISHER, U.S.A, NEW YORK, N.D. Jacob and Joseph. The second wife was daughter of the Kurdish -Dāʿirat al-MʿārIf al-Isl āmîa al-kubr ā,: madet aq-qounl, Devlet Shah of Ageel who became mother of Ughrlu biashraf: kazm al-musawi al-bajenwerdi, markaz D āʿirat al- Mohammed. The third wife was Dspina, daughter of Trbazon MʿārIf al-Isl āmîa al-kubr ā, (Tehran 1991) VOL-1. emperor from whom Hasan had one son, Maksoud, and three -Fa l All āh Ruzbah ān xunju esfahanî: Ta ʿrīkh ʿAlam ārāy daughters. One of these daughters, Martha, later became Shah amînî, musahih: mohammed akbar heshiq,neshr mirath mektub, Ismael the Safavid’s mother. (tehran 1382). Hasan’s motivation for marrying Seljuk Shah was to -Gaffarî( qazy ahmad bin qazy mohammed bin preserve the Turkoman breed while he married the Kurdish one najmadeen),t ārîkhî. Jih ān Ara, ktabfroshy hafiz,(tehran 1343). due to his political relations within Diyarbakir province. His -Al –Ghayathî(abdula bin fathula al-baghdadi): Ta ʿrīkhAl – marriage to Dspina was owing to a formal agreement to protect Ghayathî, tahqîq: tariq nafih al-hamdani(Baghdad 1975). the Trabzon Empire. Thus, these wives helped him to mingle -Hafiz Husan Karbalai: rau ẓat aljn ān we jannat aljn ān, and strengthen his ties with , Kurds and the Christian baehtimam; mohammed amin sultan al –qarai,Entisharat stude. populations of Diyarbakir province. (tabriz 1383). Seljuk Shah was constantly living with her husband at the -Ḥasan Rumlu: A ḥsan al - Taw ārîkh, teshih. ABDULHUSEAN Ak Koynlu palace and was the most active one. However, his NEVAI,Entisharat asatir. (tehran 1384). Kurdish wife had little chance, if any, to live in the palace as - Hînts (walter): tashkîl dewlet mîly der Iran,Tarjeme:kaykaws Turkmen managed it exclusively, particularly militarily. She jhandarî. , sharketsham shamî Entisharat xwarzmî, (Tehran established strong ties with military leaders, as she was Khalil’s 1377). mother who was Hasan’s elder son. She was directly hostile to -Josafa Barbaro And Contarini: Travels To Tana And Persia, A Ughrlu Mohammed and never concealed this hostility, but Translated By William Thomas, Burt Franklin Publisher, U.S.A, Mohammed’s mother’s role is not felt in the palace affairs. New York, N.D. When Seljuk Shah sent Ughrlu Mohammed off the palace to a -JOZAFA BARBARO V DIGER: Safarn āmay vinîzy ān der distant province, she also managed to expel his mother and his IRAN, Tarjeme: manuchahr amiri, Entisharat khwarzmy. (tehran sons, too. Finally she killed him by way of her military leaders 1381). in a well-planned conspiracy. -Al –Maqrîzî(Taqîyadîn Ahmad bin Alî): Al –sluk lî-mahrîfat Seljuk Shah was an actual and exclusive ruler in the palace al-muluk,tahqîq:mohammed abdulqadr ata,dar al-kutub al- after clearing Ughrlu. Her authority was uncontested, but when almiye.(Beirut 1997). her son Khalil assumed power, he sent her off the palace on the -Minorsky (wladîmer): grounds that she interfered in the state affairs. However, when A-Ir ān dar sadai p ānzdahum - Nahum h ījrî _ bain Tûrkiy ā ū Jacob overthrew his brother, he brought his mother back to the Veniz,Tarjeme: dktor mohammed baqr amîrkhanî, nashrîye palace in Tabriz. danshkedey adebyat w alumi ensani,( Tabriz , tabstan 1351, Since Seljuk Shah served as the focal point in the Ak shumare 152). Koynlu palace, everyone was consulting her and act upon her B-Pzhush darb āray ʿmur niz āmî û ghaîr niz āmîfars,Tarjeme: advice, but when she died in 1489, the palace became severely hasan jawadî, majle barrasy hay Ta ʿrīkî, (Tehran shmare 6 sal divided.She was an ardent fan of Sheikhs and the Order leaders. swem). As for Dspina, the Christian wife, she was keen on living C- Dāʿirat al-MʿārIf al-Isl āmîa:madet Uzun Ḥasan among the Christian community and enhancing the Ak Koynlu ..(Cairo1933).VOL-5.c foreign relations with Venice and Trabzon. She was consistently -Nevai (A bdulhusean): Isn ād v muk ātab āt t ārîkhî Ir ān (az taimur trying to achieve on solitary aim which was to mobilize efforts ta shah esmaeyl) bungah tarjeme v neshr ktab (tehran 1977). to deter the Ottoman’s threats to the Trabzon empire and the -Qāî ahmad Tatawy û dîgar: Ta ʿrīkhi Alfî, teshih: said ali al- Christian world. dawd, Entisharat fikr ruz (tehran 1378).

27648 Rabeah Fattah Shekh Mohamad/ Elixir Social Studies 75 (2014) 27641-27648

-Al-Qaremanî(abu ʿAbbas ahmad al-dîmashqî): Exbar al-duwal -Tahrî (abulqasm):Ta ʿrīkh syasi w ejtmahi Iran az marg taymur w athar al-awal fî al- Ta ʿrīkh,alam al-kutub(Beirut, 1282 hîjrî). ta marg shah ʿAbbas, sharket Entisharat ʿalmi v farhangi, -Al –Qazuynî:kîkab Lub al-Taw āîkh, neshryati muases xawer. (tehran 1384). (tehran 1314). -Tehr ānī (Ab ū Bakr): kîkab Dy ārbakrya, teshih; najati lugal v -Al-Sadafî(Ali bin dawd bin ebrahim al-jawhari) : Nuzhat Al- fruq sumer, ktabkhne tahuri (tehran 1977). Nfus û al-abd ān: fîTa ʿwr īkh al-zaman, tahqîq:D. hasan habashî, - Unknown author (834-839): Ḥauly āt Dimashqya, nashr û (Cairo 2002). ta ḥqîq: ḥasan ḥabashî, maktabe anjlo al-msriya, (Cairo1968). -Al- Saxawî(shmsadîn bin abdulrahman): Al- aw ʿ al-Lāmʿi, -Wale esfahanî: xuld brîn(t ārîkhî Iran v kshwerhy hemsaye der lîehl al-qarn tash, dar maktabat al-hayat(Beirut, N.D). sal hay 850-984), koshish: mîr hashm muhadath, neshr mirath -Ibn Taghrî Bardî: Al-Njūm al-zahîre fî muluk mîsr we al- mektub, (tehran 1379). qahîre, dar alkutb al- msrîye(Cairo 1949-1972)VOL-7,15.